Florida Voters to Decide Governor Race November 3
Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly compete to lead Florida in the 2026 gubernatorial election.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Should your local government place a moratorium on new data center construction in your community?
Florida voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to elect a new governor. The contest features Republican candidate Byron Donalds and Democratic candidate David Jolly.
Why it matters
The outcome will shape Florida policy on infrastructure and state-level governance as candidates offer starkly different approaches to regulation. The race also highlights the shifting demographics and political weight of the state's electorate.
Registered Republicans in Florida currently outnumber Democrats by more than 1.5 million voters. Candidate Byron Donalds is actively targeting at least 20 percent of the Black vote to secure his path to victory.
The players
Byron Donalds
He is the Republican nominee for governor who has received support from an artificial intelligence super PAC.
David Jolly
He is the Democratic nominee for governor who has proposed a one-year moratorium on data center construction.
The details
The candidates failed to reach an agreement on a formal debate schedule during their campaign efforts. Policy disagreements include the construction of data centers, with David Jolly pledging a one-year construction moratorium while Byron Donalds prefers allowing local governments to decide.
Timeline
August 2026: Candidates expressed their initial desire for multiple debates.
November 3, 2026: The Florida general election takes place.
Political Context
This race is framed by the Florida voter registration advantage, which currently sees Republicans leading by over 1.5 million voters. The Democratic campaign faces significant opposition from the state's GOP base in rural counties, where white voters represent 94 percent of the electorate.
The result will determine the state's official stance on infrastructure regulations, including the future of data center construction. Taxpayers and residents should expect potential changes to local zoning and development policies depending on which candidate wins the governor's seat.
The takeaway
Voters should review the candidates' specific platforms on state land-use policy and infrastructure to understand the direct impact on their local communities. Identifying the differences in regional development priorities is critical for residents concerned about upcoming construction projects.
Further reading
For broader trends on upcoming contests, see Florida Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
Live Poll
Should your local government place a moratorium on new data center construction in your community?
